Blog / Matthew Bourne

Check here for the latest musical news with links to all your #StageFaves performers, shows and theatres. Also look out for our regular #GetSocial features and contributions from our syndicate media partners including MyTheatreMates.com and the Musical Theatre Appreciation Society.

It’s never too late to fall in love with Sandy Wilson’s classic British musical and the Menier Chocolate Factory obviously feels the same, having just announced the first major London revival of The Boy Friend in ten years, running over Christmas at the theatre from 22 November 2019 until 7 March 2020.

It’s shaping into quite a cast and we still have several months to wait before the opening! Joining Zizi Strallen’s Mary and Charlie Stemp’s Bert will be Joseph Millson, as Mr George Banks, and the music and stage legend that is Petula Clark, as the Bird Woman (and rumour is Petula’s role may be extended in this staging). Mary Poppins returns home to the West End’s Prince Edward Theatre from 23 October 2019 to 29 March 2020 so get ready.

Stargate star Suanne Braun, who was last seen in sci-fi musical Fanatical, is cruising back onto the London stage this month, appearing in Sailing Somewhere at Live at Zedel. The one-woman play with songs runs at the cabaret venue from 27 February to 2 March 2019.

Could there be a better time for Disney and Cameron Mackintosh’s new production of Mary Poppins to return to the West End, with the movie sequel starring Emily Blunt having been such a hit? Now you can put the confirmed dates in your diary with news that the production starring Zizi Strallen and Charlie Stemp will open for previews at the Prince Edward Theatre from 23 October 2019 with opening night on 13 November. Are you booking your flight?

A stream of A-listers including Paul McCartney, Bryan Cranston, Judi Dench, Henry Cavill, Whoopi Goldberg, Jack Black, Steve Martin and more have contributed to a music video for ‘The Hero – A West End & Friends Tribute’ alongside stars of London’s West End (Charlie Stemp, Marisha Wallace, Cleve September, Kerry Ellis and oodles more #StageFaves). Everyone involved wished to pay thanks to servicemen and women around the world and to raise money for the UK charity, Help For Heroes.

Fifteen years after its critically-acclaimed stage premiere, Mary Poppins is flying back to its original West End home, the Prince Edward Theatre, when Disney’s Aladdin ends its run in August 2019. We can't wait to see Zizi Strallen & Charlie Stemp step in time!

As the West End pays its highest tribute to director and choreographer Gillian Lynne who created such groundbreaking work for up to 60 stage productions, read the words of tribute from Andrew Lloyd Webber, Matthew Bourne, Arlene Phillips and many, many others....